January 2023
New Year’s Resolution: Find Out What You are Capable of
When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, some very low hanging fruit is ready to be picked. Lose a couple pounds, be nicer to people, increase income by 5%, all stand to provide benefits but is it enough?
Winter taking its toll on all of us
Happy New Year everyone. Instead of new year resolutions, the question I have for all of you is, whose Christmas wish was more weather like we had just before Christmas? It came a little late for Christmas but it still came. Four days worth of it to be exact.
Stephen R. Reckard
TRUMAN: A Celebration of Life Service for Stephen R. Reckard, 68, of rural Truman will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Truman with burial in Ridgelawn Memorial Park Cemetery in rural Truman. Steve was called to his eternal rest on Sunday afternoon, December 11, 2022 after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis and a short battle with cancer at his home in rural Truman. Visitation with the family will be from 1 - 2 p.m. on Saturday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Truman. Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family online at www.kramerfuneralhome.com. Stephen Rollo Reckard was born on February 11, 1954, to Rollo and Burnetta (Miller) Reckard in Fairmont. It was a beautiful spring day with the men washing their cars in Lake Sisseton. He was baptized on February 28, 1954, and later confirmed on April 28, 1968, both at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Truman. Steve attended school in Truman and graduated with the class of 1972. He then attended Rochester Vocational school until returning to Fairmont. His whole life he loved family, fishing and pheasant hunting...not always in that order. September 8, 1979, he was united in marriage to Carmen Joy Lewis in Lewisville. After their marriage they lived near Truman, moving to the family farm, in rural Truman in 1980. Steve was an in-house salesman for Redi-Haul Trailers out of Fairmont for over 28 years. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Truman. In addition to family, fishing and pheasant hunting, Steve enjoyed camping and gardening. He especially enjoyed swapping garden stories with Marilyn. He is survived by his wife, Carmen Reckard of rural Truman; son, Chad (Sarah) Reckard of St. James; daughter, Alicia (Justin) Rihn of Knoxville, Tenn.; three grandchildren, Lillian Rihn, Therin Rihn and Grant Reckard; sisters, Kathi Timm of Blaine and Julie (Larry) Anderson of Spring Hill, Tenn.; nieces and nephews and other relatives. Stephen was preceded in death by
County, city departments work to make residents safe during Christmas blizzard
Watonwan and surrounding counties were hit by a winter storm in the days leading up to Christmas. From Wednesday to Saturday Winter Storm Elliot was going through Watonwan County, with the worst being Thursday and Friday.
Mayor Jon Wilson and council members sworn in
Tuesday night was the first city council meeting of 2023 and the first one held by St. James’ new mayor Jon Wilson. Former mayor Gary Sturm started the meeting. Council members Paul Harris, Nonnie Hanson, and Hannah Rushing took their oath first. After they took their oath, Jon Wilson with his daughters standing next to him was oathed in by Melissa Wilson. Once he took his oath Wilson was handed the gavel by Sturm and the meeting continued.
Taylor Sodeman reached 1,000 points
Taylor Sodeman reached 1,000 points in her career on Dec. 28 at the New Richmond tournament during their game against Minnesota Valley Lutheran.
Bivalent COVID-19 booster available at Mayo Clinic Health System for children 6 months and older
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently expanded use of the new bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccines to children 6 months–5 years old. Appointments for the Pfizer booster can now be made at Mayo Clinic Health System for this age group by accessing Patient Online Services or calling your primary care provider.
There’s snow better time to read
Watonwan County libraries are starting its winter reading program this week. From January 3 to February 25, kindergartners to adults can participate in the program.
Zender retires after 22 years of service in the Air Force
Jake Zender, a 1995 graduate of St. James High School and son of Tom and Becky Zender of St James, recently retired from the Air Force after 22 years of service. Zender achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and worked in stations across the globe over his 22 years in the Air Force. Lt Col Zender graduated from the University of St Thomas and was commissioned in the Air Force in 1999 and was stationed in Texas, North Dakota, Nebraska, and several stations in the Middle East after 9/11 working as an intelligence officer.
Community Calendar
Sunday: Watonwan County Historical Society Pancake Breakfast from 9 - 1 at the St. James Eagles. Tuesday: 12- 1 p.m. Rotary Club Wednesday: 12 -1 p.m. Sertoma Events for the Watonwan County Library 1/7 @ 10 am Cribbage Love to play cribbage? Don’t know how but always wanted to learn? Join us and play someone experienced or learn how to play with Teri’s guidance.